Pret A Manger acquired by Jab Beech

UNITED KINGDOM Hospitality & Leisure / Hospitality / Restaurants / Chains EV £1–10bn

Context

JAB acquired a majority stake in Pret A Manger from Bridgepoint and other minority shareholders in May 2018. The transaction value the company above £1.0b including debt, with Pret shareholders and employees benefiting from the change in ownership. The deal followed more than a decade of Bridgepoint ownership and gave JAB control of one of the U.K.'s best-known ready-to-eat food chains. The strategic rationale was to add a premium, high-frequency food and coffee brand to JAB's expanding consumer platform. Pret brought a strong U.K. core, a growing international footprint, and a menu centered on freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, wraps, and beverages. JAB saw Pret as a natural complement to its existing coffee and foodservice holdings, giving it another branded concept with cross-market expansion potential and strong consumer loyalty. The company’s emphasis on quality ingredients and prepared-in-shop offerings aligned with JAB’s broader interest in premium, margin-rich consumer businesses.

By taking control of Pret A Manger, Jab Beech continues its expansion strategy. Previously, the group had completed 3 acquisitions, including Panera Bread Company in 2017.

Pret A Manger, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2017, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 15x–25x.

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Target

Pret A Manger is a British ready-to-eat food and coffee chain founded in 1986 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company specializes in freshly made sandwiches, salads, wraps, juices, and hot beverages prepared daily in shop kitchens with an emphasis on quality ingredients and convenience. Pret built its brand around a fresh, healthy, urban lunch proposition, with strong appeal to commuters and office workers. Pret was widely known for its simple menu, fast service, and charitable food donation practices. Pret's model combined company-owned and franchised locations with a strong brand identity and high-frequency urban traffic. Its revenues came from store sales and related foodservice activity.

Ent. Value

£1–10bn

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

1x–3x

EV / EBITDA

15x–25x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (GBP)

Year

Rev

EBITDA

EBIT

2017

2016

Other operations with Jab Beech

Other operations with Jab Beech
Date	Acquirer	Target	Country	Sector
04/2017	JAB BEECH	PANERA BREAD COMPANY	UNITED STATES	Restaurants / Chains
07/2016	JAB BEECH	KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS	UNITED STATES	Restaurants / Chains
12/2015	JAB BEECH	KEURIG DR PEPPER	UNITED STATES	Beverages

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05/2018	ACCOR HOTELS	MANTRA	AUSTRALIA	Hotels & Accommodation
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04/2018	ACCOR HOTELS	MOVENPICK HOTELS & RESORTS	SWITZERLAND	Hotels & Accommodation
03/2018	APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT	QDOBA RESTAURANT	UNITED STATES	Restaurants / Chains
03/2018	OPCAPITA	ROSSOPOMODORO	ITALY	Restaurants / Chains
02/2018	ARBY’S RESTAURANT GROUP	BUFFALO WILD WINGS	UNITED STATES	Restaurants / Chains
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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV £1–10bn

Revenue range: £450–900M

EBITDA range: £100–200M

EV/Revenue range: 1x - 3x

EV/EBITDA range: 15x - 25x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Pret A Manger by Jab Beech are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Target: pret a manger

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers Jab Beech’s acquisition of 100% of Pret A Manger, a British company specialised in Hospitality, in 2018, structured as a leveraged buyout (LBO).

How was the acquisition of Pret A Manger by Jab Beech valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the £1–10bn band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the 15x - 25x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 1x - 3x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were Pret A Manger’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Pret A Manger generated annual revenue estimated in the £450–900M range and EBITDA in the £100–200M bracket (FY 2017). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Transaction data and operational intelligence were compiled from independent financial press reporting by specialized M&A publications.

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